Evaluation of a Mindfulness Intervention to Prevent Chemo-brain in Women Preparing for Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. Assess the feasibility of an 8-week mindfulness intervention in women preparing for chemotherapy for breast cancer. II. Evaluate cognitive dysfunction related factors as an exploratory objective: cognitive function, quality of life, inflammatory markers, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) brain imaging, and a record of mindfulness practice. OUTLINE: Patients participate in a mindfulness program composed of topics that include mindfulness of breathing and the body scan, mindful eating, mindful activity, mindfulness in daily life, expanding the field of awareness, and maintaining a flexible mindfulness practice weekly over 2.5 hours for 8 weeks. Patients also undergo blood sample collection and fMRI on the study. After completion of study intervention, patients are followed up at 3 months.